Palace Intrigue?: I Make the Emperor Cry by Rewinding Time!-Chapter 119 - 108: Riding the Imperial Stallion

The Six Palaces were in shock.

Concubine Wei coolly remarked, "Last night, apart from you, there were no other sisters in Qiankun Palace, and the Emperor did not sleep all night; he went straight to the morning court."

Judging by everyone’s expressions, it was evident they were imagining countless words of indescribable content.

Ravishing, with thunder igniting earth’s fires, lost in the ignorance of heaven and earth.

"You weren’t in Qiankun Palace, how do you know so much?"

Yun Jiao was curious.

Concubine Wei choked up, "Concubine Xi, don’t change the subject. First, speak about your charm that bewitched the Emperor. Although serving the Emperor is the duty of concubines, you must not harm the Emperor’s health by vying for favor. Have you neglected your responsibility to advise him, entangling the Emperor all night?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Yun Jiao denied it, "I’ve already said, the Emperor did not sleep, I did."

Everyone clearly did not understand what kind of scene that was.

Ordinary people by the side of a supreme sovereign can hardly dare to enter deep sleep, let alone sleep soundly before him. Staring at the ceiling awake till dawn is frequent, fearing one might accidentally press an arm or leg against the Emperor.

The Empress chuckled lightly, "That tongue of Concubine Xi is really skillful, no wonder she can amuse the Emperor. But with this matter spreading, it might harm the Emperor’s reputation."

"If Lady doesn’t believe it, just check the records."

"No need, since Concubine Xi has spoken, I believe you."

Last time, the Empress lost face over a similar incident, and won’t fall into the same trap again. Concubine Xi is also a peculiar one, not in a hurry to serve the Emperor when summoned to attend: "Qiankun Palace is a place for serious matters, having concubines stay overnight there is indeed inappropriate. When the Emperor summoned you at midnight, you should have advised and taken leave."

"Your humble servant heeds such advice."

Yun Jiao curtsied.

Ah, clearly the Emperor called her over, yet she ends up being reprimanded.

Being an Emperor must be nice, she thought.

But upon remembering the mountain-like pile of imperial documents the Emperor faced, it seemed more arduous than the labor of a drudge.

The Empress looked down upon her and slowly spoke:

"I’ll give a small punishment this time, a month’s salary deducted and suspension from court activities for a month, so Concubine Xi will remember this lesson."

Only when punishing concubines does the Empress genuinely feel her superiority over them.

The harem is divided into ranks, and she is at the highest level.

Even when favored, if one dares to step into places she hasn’t stayed overnight, a random cause can lead to punishment.

"Thank you, Empress."

"Thank you is secondary; remember not to cling to the Emperor like ordinary families. The Emperor is the ruler of all, Concubine Xi still has much to learn," The Empress paused, a smile lingering at her lips, "Just like Concubine Lan, who recently hasn’t sought favor from the Emperor despite his busy schedule, she accompanies him for meals and sends him off."

For a moment, Concubine Lan’s face turned dark despite the mild smile from Yun Jiao’s reprimand.

Why not keep the Emperor? Is it because she doesn’t like him?

Concubine Feng watched from the side.

That Empress’s mouth, she must have borrowed it from Concubine Wei!

Success irked her, as did failure.

Unexpectedly, Concubine Lan stood up and gave a slight bow, "Thank you, Empress. Your humble servant is merely following your example."

Your humble servant hasn’t; does Lady have?

At this, the Six Palaces were in shock.

Indeed, a woman galloping freely across the grasslands, Concubine Lan truly is courageous!

Consort Xu raised her handkerchief to conceal her astonishment.

Concubine Wei was unsurprised, knowing Concubine Lan had the audacity to be reckless. The Empress had reprimanded her, suspended her salary—punishments to the fullest extent already. The Emperor, considering the friendship with the Kesha Tribe, provides Concubine Lan with minimum treatment that won’t be too bad.

The Empress composed herself and placed the teacup on the table with a frosty voice:

"Merely a concubine, adhere to your duties, there’s no need to emulate everything from me, you needn’t."

Similarly, Concubine Lan also holds no possibility of palace power.

The Empress declared exhaustion, dismissing everyone.

Outside Jianzhang Palace, snowflakes drift violently like cotton being torn apart.

The farce unfurls not only in Jianzhang Palace but also in the previous dynasty, where petitions advise the Emperor against exclusively favoring Concubine Xi.

With their reminder, the Emperor realized he hasn’t favored anyone else for a long time.

Even when spending the night, it was merely sleeping under a quilt.

It’s not exclusive favor; even less when summoning Yun Jiao to assist, serious matters were rarely addressed, for he isn’t indulgent. Such conduct among commoners is virtuous; among emperors, it’s seen as flawed—solid governance demands a stable heir. With only a frail Eldest Prince, there’s genuine concern, and ministers righteously intrude into his personal affairs.

"Concerns regarding heirs are under my discretion. Matters accumulated over the year are countless; I lack the leisure to favor concubines, summoning Concubine Xi was simply for assisting with documents," the Emperor noted a particular minister by name, "Young and increasingly verbose!"

"The Emperor should consider the nation."

The Emperor sighed deeply.

He was quite agitated, and sat for a while with Lady after court.

"It’s my humble servant’s womb that failed; the matter of childbearing, truly is unpredictable. However, the Emperor is burdened more than me, for all wish for the Emperor’s prosperity and multitude of offspring, while I lack such stress."

Lady’s gentle words placed the issue on herself, aligning with the Emperor, affirming his greater burden.

These words were far more tactful than the Empress.

The Emperor’s furrowed brow eased:

"I sincerely hope for a child with you."

Feeling aside, Lady is wise, her offspring bound to be bright.

For some reason, the Emperor thought of Concubine Xi.

Whenever he thought of her, his mind ached faintly.

"Your humble servant wishes to shift the stars, bringing immediate nightfall."

Lady’s delicate hand covered his.

"Lady..."

The Emperor was about to speak, noticing Lady’s hand had returned, repeating the same once more.

The third time, spoken differently, she said, "Alas, the hour is still early."

The fourth time, she said nothing.

The Emperor’s head throbbed with pain.

He stood up, "I have matters to attend to; rest well, a child will come in due time."

Lady paused, as she rose, the disappointment in her eyes was entirely concealed:

"Yes, your humble servant respectfully bids farewell to the Emperor."

Exiting Yanxi Palace, the Emperor rubbed his temples: "Find where Concubine Xi is."

He didn’t avoid others when issuing the command, so gatekeepers at Yanxi Palace—eunuchs and palace maids—heard it.

Ying Lu responded: "Servant will attend to it immediately."

Before, when Concubine Xi was merely Attendant Lady Xi, she spent afternoons languidly at Xianfu Palace. Now elevated, few in the harem dare challenge her; she reveals her true self, rambling through the harem daily, climbing trees, catching fish, occasionally bringing the Eldest Prince to evade reprimand.

Before long, Ying Lu returned: "Reporting to the Emperor, Concubine Xi is at Upper Stable riding horses."

The Emperor mocked, "Is that even a horse?"

Ying Lu looked troubled: "Lady is riding your blood-sweating horse."